Atlas International found themselves in a paralyzing ditch.
One they wouldn’t be getting out of anytime soon.
Over the course of the years, they’d been finding themselves at the center of one controversy or the other sure but this… this had taken the cake for one of the biggest scandals they had ever pulled that was brought forth to the limelight.
And that was none other than how they had instigated and orchestrated the last year’s seemingly normal Hollywood Strike to increase their already vast reach of control.
In the original post which had now resurfaced on so many websites, each with variations of their own, were many leaked voice recordings of Lex and his execs talking about exercising their control to rig certain movements in their favor, alongside a fair few unsavory statements that all pointed to one, singular, thing.
Monopoly.
An act that was immensely frowned upon by everyone in the industry and was even, punishable by law due to the way they had abused it.
For so many years, victims of their predatory actions had been calling for attention to the things they were doing in secret but, without concrete evidence, their claims fell on deaf ears.
However, this time, thanks to Jeff’s invisible hand in the entire thing, getting the required evidence had been a cinch.
Now, every blessed one of said victims was coming out of the woodwork, ready for their piece of the pie as they began to file lawsuits to sue the company, one after the other in the name of ’justice’.
’Justice my ass. All they want is some big fat cash to soothe their losses…’ Lex massaged his temples with a deep frown as Donna dropped yet another lawsuit document onto his table.
But what really had Lex extremely frustrated, was that none of this, came from Kyle and his team.
Rather, the moment the entire thing had happened, he’d received a call from the prime mastermind stating;
[In case you ever think of going back on the NDA you signed with the kid, remember, I have just as much dirt on you and your chums as that fixer of yours. This isn’t threat, Lex. It’s a final warning. Stay out of the kid’s business if you know what’s good for you.]
As the CEO recalled the words that played in his head, he couldn’t help groan in extreme frustration and anger.
Jeff was one of those people in Hollywood everyone hated messing with due to how vastly connected he was, more so than even he himself despite how happy-go-lucky he seemed.
As a result, in hindsight, Lex couldn’t help but feel like he’d flown a bit too close to the sun with his previous actions considering the old Hollywood Star and Kyle seemed very familiar with the other.
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"Haaa… I should’ve just left Kestis alone…" he muttered to himself in defeat.
After all, regardless of how things played out, the non-terminating NDA he had signed with the young man, already had him leashed for life.
And now, unfortunately, he was fully on Jeffrey Dickson’s radar.
* * *
Due to the backlash from social media, [Fables & Legends], regardless of how much Atlas International had invested in it, suffered due to the scandal incident.
As a result, the industry juggernauts analysts and marketing department had long predicted that it probably wouldn’t perform as well as they’d projected at the Box Office.
After all, most people in this day and age, in the name of parading their virtues, liked to boycott anything that had a whiff of corruption to it so as not to be labelled as a supporter of such vile practices.
This, obviously, was also reflected in the way people talked about it on various social media platforms, TweetTalk especially;
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Potter’s Wand: I was planning to watch both [Tech Wiz: Year One] and [Fables & Legends] originally come their release in December but now, I know which to delegate to the ’Not Interested’ list.
Lord_HoldMyMalt: I completely agree @Potter’s Wand. Man, I just can’t trust they’d do a good job anymore because clearly, it’s never about art with these people. It’s always about power and control.
ViolenceIsTheOnlyWay: I must admit, I was expecting the yearly Atlas International scandal et controversy. Never thought it’d be this big in all honesty. Kinda sucks to see though since [Fables & Legends]’ definitely going to suffer as a result.
RideMyStallion: I am so boycotting [Fables & Legends]. I refuse to support a film backed by a company that manipulates entire industries for profit. We need to hold these studios accountable!
Wild West Outlaw: @RideMyStallion; Hold your horses, cowboy. What does Atlas’s bullcrap have to do with what will probably be a masterpiece of a movie. I’mma go see it for myself, then decide.
Film_Insider: If it is, a masterpiece of a movie @Wild West Outlaw. Y’all trust these studios to not fumble the bag, way too much. After all, in an interview with the movie’s director recently, they said they’d taken ’creative liberties’ to enhance the story telling. If that doesn’t scream red flags, I don’t know what does.
Ace Attorney: It’s one thing to tread the line of monopoly. It’s another to abuse that ’supposed’ monopoly. Atlas better get those seat rests cushioned ’cause boy oh boy they’re gonna be visiting them courts like crazy in the coming months with all the plethora of lawsuits filed against them.
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As the public perception towards the live action of Martin O. Ronan’s epic changed unfavorably, a collateral side effect of Atlas’s current situation, Cassandra whom was scrolling through the comments section, glanced over to her husband who let out a dejected sigh.
"There there…" she rubbed his back with a gentle smile as the fan boy let out another listless sigh.
"He does realize, this means less competition, right?" Hank couldn’t help but ask his fellow producer in a whisper as he sat on the same couch as they did.
All three were presently in the Dot Production’s Executive Suite, and so were Kyle, Jeff, Oliver, Bruce and a coffee-deprived Mark who could really use some shut eye.
"Shhh. Just let him mope about it. He’ll get over it soon." she whispered back in response, her hands gently stroking Xavier’s back.
Considering he had been oh-so-close from getting to adapt [Stray Wolves], one of Martin’s books, the fact that he had been unable to, left him a bit sad.
Fortunately, Kyle coming in clutch back then to have him direct the live adaptation of the now popular comic book, took his mind of it.
But hearing that [Fables & Legend], might tank at the box office, not because of the Atlas situation, but because of the statement the director of the movie made over ’creative liberties’ to improve the storytelling, had him genuinely worried.
Bold statements like that in Hollywood, especially for a live action adaptation never bode well and neither did Xavier think it’d magically change now.
In any case, as Kyle conversed with Jeff, Oliver, Bruce and Mark, their conversation soon veered towards the havoc the old Hollywood star had caused Atlas International;
"Look, if their movie’s great, it’s gonna perform well at the box office, regardless of public perception." Jeff defended, his voice cool whilst gesturing to all four who shook their heads in resignation as he continued;
"In fact, all this heat they’re getting, will only draw more attention and publicity to them and quite possibly, increase their box office earnings. If their movie’s good, that is."
"However, if it’s not up to snuff, well then I guess they’ll have to deal with the consequences of their own actions, eh?" he remarked casually, not the least bit perturbed by his actions.
"Besides, they’ve had it coming for a while now. Consider this my way of giving them an added precaution and a reminder to keep their mangy hands, off of you." Jeff concluded as he directed his gaze towards Kyle with a pointed finger.
In response, Kyle went over to give the old star a side hug, one that had his wrinkled features lighting up a bit as the young man stated, his tone warm yet genuinely appreciative despite the humor in them;
"Has anyone ever told you you’re such a papa bear?"
Instantly, Bruce and Mark followed up playfully;
"You mean Grandpa bear?"
"I take pride in both." the old star gave a proud shrug, earning a small hearty chuckle from all four.
"Well, regardless of it all, I still feel we might clash fiercely at the box office, especially since it’ll be landing in cinemas worldwide on the third week of December." Oliver was the one to speak this time, his expression thoughtful.
In response, everyone gave brief, approving nods.
After all, the holidays, asides from being a familial festive period, presented the best time for most children and adults whom were off school and work respectively to flock to the cinemas in the hopes of having a good time.
That meant that, if [Fables & Legends] was even just a tad bit of a nice experience, it would definitely perform quite well at the box office.
Even then, no one in the room felt like the live adaptation Martin O. Ronan’s epic, even if Atlas International’s situation hadn’t come to the limelight, would have given [Tech Wiz: Year One] a run for its money.
After all, they were certain of what they created.
But more than, they were extremely confident in delivering an experience that would have the audience, coming back to the theatres, even after a second seating.
Added to that, the game’s DLC release in November had been synergized with packed promotions, one they were certain would draw multitudes of people to the cinemas.
Essentially, the team was ready to dominate the Box Office.
Still, December 20th was a month and few weeks away, its Premiere, occurring the day before.
Yet, it was also, fairly, a hop, skip and a jump away.
One that arrived much sooner, rather than later.